NFL

Jets coach: Revis, not Woodson, was best defender in ‘09

Coach Rex Ryan yesterday reopened his argument for Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis being the best defensive player in the NFL in 2009 despite the fact that Packers cornerback Charles Woodson was awarded NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

During a conference call with the Green Bay reporters, Ryan continued to make his case for Revis.

“I know [Woodson is] a great player, but the year that Darrelle Revis had has never been done in the history of the league, and I think that was a once-in-a-lifetime year for any corner.

“Charles had an unbelievable year. You look at him statistically, it was a phenomenal year. As much as I respect Charles Woodson, I just thought the year Darrelle Revis had, I’d never seen anything like it, and I’ve only been around football all my life.”

Revis yesterday harbored no ill feelings about not getting the award.

“I have no control over Charles Woodson winning the defensive award last year,” he said. “I look up to the guy. That’s a guy that you always wanted to be like — be like Charles Woodson and cover like he does. I appreciate everything he did to pave the way for corners to try to play aggressive football like him.”

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With the Jets 5-1 and Giants 5-2, there has been some early chatter about a Jets-Giants Super Bowl. That, however, was a subject few on the Jets had any interest in touching.

Even the usually brash Ryan took a low-key approach to that prospect.

“The opponent doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “It can be the Giants. It can be Dallas. It doesn’t matter to me. As long as we’re there, I couldn’t care less who we play.”

ACCUSCORE: JETS 24, GIANTS 23

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Ryan delivered high praise for LG Matt Slauson
, a first-year starter. “I think he’s as good a left guard as there is in our division.” . . . The only Jet who was limited in practice was LB Calvin Pace
(foot), who will start and play Sunday. . . . Ryan said WR Santonio Holmes
“will get a few more opportunities this week.”

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The Jets signed DT Jarron Gilbert
from their practice to the regular roster, replacing DT Howard Green
, who was released Tuesday. Green was signed yesterday by the Packers.

Gilbert, a 6-foot-5, 285 pounder out of San Jose State, was a third-round pick of the Bears in 2009. He played in four games last season, recording one tackle. Ryan said he scouted Gilbert coming out of college and liked him. He said the Bears had him lose weight to about 270 and he wants to get him back to over 290.

The Jets also filled a spot on their practice squad, signing CB Will Billingsley
from North Carolina A&T.

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The Jets plan to have a moment of silence in the press box before Sunday’s game for long-time press box announcer and baseball official scorer Bill Shannon
, who died in a house fire on Tuesday. Shannon, 69, was an institution in New York-area press boxes.